Cytoplasmic dynein during mitosis

Abstract Cytoplasmic dynein is a prominent microtubule (MT) motor protein that plays several crucial roles during mitosis. Although important contributions to spindle assembly, spindle positioning, and kinetochore function are well accepted, more recent discoveries into nuclear envelope breakdown, spindle assembly checkpoint silencing, and cortical anchoring have garnered attention. This chapter is focused on mechanisms of targeting to each location and the impacts of defects in this process on mitotic progression. Where appropriate, the relative contributions of dynein and other MT-binding proteins are compared.